The protection film manufacturer JTAPE has warned motorists planning to modify their vehicle that they must stick to UK regulations if they want it to remain road legal.
Many motorists like to make alterations to their car in order to give it more personality, credibility and, in some cases, a higher value on the used market.
However, Chris Jevons, Commercial Director at JTAPE, urged drivers to make sure that their modifications do not put them and other road users at a higher risk of accidents.
He advised: “If you want your vehicle to look different and reflect your personality, you can make some modifications to it. However, it’s important to know the rules related to car modifications to avoid getting caught out, so we’ve compiled a list of some modifications that can lead to MOT failure.
“Firstly, it’s illegal to alter the colour of the headlights or add a tint of more than 50 percent. But if you do add a tint, this must be declared before taking your vehicle for its MOT since the lights will need to be tested to check that they’re emitting light correctly.”
One of the most popular ways in which drivers modify their car is by tinting the windows to give the vehicle a more prestigious image.
Whilst it is perfectly legal for drivers to tint some of the windows on their car, motorists must make sure that the front windows and windscreen can still let at least 75 percent of light through.
This is to make sure that drivers still have a good view of their surroundings when they are behind the wheel.
Chris also suggested that drivers planning on lowering their vehicles suspension should also be cautious, making sure it does not affect the way the car handles.
He continued: “When lowering the suspension of your vehicle, it’s also important to check that both the front and rear suspension can steer precisely. Additionally, the headlights of your vehicle should be positioned at least 50cm above the ground at their lowest point.
“If the steering is affected or the headlights aren’t positioned correctly, the vehicle could fail its MOT test. But as long as you’ve declared the change in suspension to your insurance company and you’re within the legal limit, you shouldn’t have any problems.”
Finally, the motoring expert stated that, whilst some drivers like the sporty appearance of a car spoiler, it must be fitted correctly and declared to the owner’s insurer.
He added: “Spoilers will need to be tested at your MOT and declared as a modification to your insurer beforehand.
“This mod can have sharp edges or be fitted incorrectly, which can pose a safety issue for you and others on the road.”
